I am thinking about purchasing a Merkel 200e over/under in 12 gauge. It is literally NIB, with box, proofed in the early 1970s, but otherwise unfired. 28" barrels, with cheek piece, but no sling swivels. Double triggers, pistol grip. Choked .025 and .035; case colored and bluing appear 100%, as does wood. 7 lb weight.
Seller wants $3400. Fair price? If not, suggested fair price?
Sounds like he's trying to bleed the last penny out of that gun....with the mod/full chokes and the cheek piece...offer 2900 ....if ya have to have it..
I purchased the same gun, Merkel 200E, without the box and previously fired, but otherwise in the same condition for $2500 last fall. Your price sounds a little high to me.
I just came back from Germany and an "as new" 200E would cost about $1800. Now I know we pay more over here, but that sounds way too high to me. Find somebody with some contacts in Germany and get a 95% used gun--
yes, if you do searches for websites in Europe you will notice the prices are less. That is why a few sellers on GB and other places are importing good used shotguns, and making a nice profit..................
I lived there for 12 years and my collection nearly cost me my marriage!!! I wouldn't buy anything long distance from Germany. Unless you are there and can inspect guns in person, its just not a good idea. I look when I go, but its a hit or miss thing. Right now the dollar isn't worth squat, so the big price advantage is disappearing and the competition for good used guns is enormous.
You need a trustworthy connection on the ground..DO NOT buy long distance.
First, I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and input.
After reading these posts and several pm's that I exchanged with a number of you, I have decided to go a different direction with a more modern shotgun.
As some of you now know, I already have a 16 gauge 200e, which I love as a field gun. The idea was to purchase the NIB 12 gauge 200e, have Briley chokes installed or just have the chokes opened, and use it in my sporting clays league. In essence, my thoughts were that I would be shooting a gun that I love, that had much the same feel as the gun I hunt with, and if my sporting clays scores did not improve much or at all, who cares -- I would still be having fun (I am not a very competitive sporting clays shooter).
However, the Seller won't budge on the price, and the long term viability of my sporting clays range is an issue. If the range goes out of business, I may have no where to shoot, and I really have no other use for a 12 gauge over/under. I suspect that re-sale would likely be an issue. And then there is the steel shot question: if Illinois does something stupid and mandates steel shot for all shooting, or all shooting on public lands, then I would have questions as to whether the gun could be used without damage.
So, much as I love Merkels, I think I will look at the Caesar Guerini Summit Limited for this purpose. It's right about the same point in my budget as I could have done with the Merkel, and really, about as much as I want to spend period.
Guerinis are quite the guns, we have a tempio in 28ga that is quite nicely executed, spend the difference on ammo.....
for sporting clays I ended up with a cynergy sporting, and have had NO regrets.
Price is a bit high a new one cost 2750 (I bought last week). The 200E is an old model the new one is 2000E. So you should get a large discount.
When it is used then about half. Overhere the shelfs are full of them because most hunters and shooters are looking mobile chockes and go for a Beretta. Therefore the prices for Merkel are in relation for what you get low.
I think the pre war ones will bring $3,500 or so if in top condition.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Shotgun Forum
4.3M posts
143.6K members
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!